HOPE has been given to campaigners fighting to save Crosby’s libraries from closure.

Politicians at cash-strapped Sefton council were expected to pass plans to close both the Carnegie and Litherland libraries as well as a number of others across the borough.

But protesters are set be given a stay of execution to come up with “feasible and sustainable” proposals to save the much-loved services. If campaign groups can come up with realistic measures to save their libraries within three months, the council will consider implementing them.

Leader of the council Peter Dowd said his ruling Labour group were likely to hand the reprieve to opposition parties at the crucial budget-setting council meeting.

While he said the democratic process must be respected – so any alternative moves brought up would also be considered – Cllr Dowd confirmed the plans.

He said: “We will be saying use Option B [to close seven libraries and save £400k], that’s what we are putting through, but if they come up with a plan that has legs then fine. This is over a two-year period so we are not rushing into this, but we do need to have a way forward.”

He added the option for campaigners to come forward with “feasible and sustainable” proposals has always been on the table throughout negotiations.

Campaign groups in Southport have already put forward a cost-saving plan to help save each of the seven libraries currently earmarked for closure.

A Joint Further Submission was handed to council leaders on February 21 in a last-minute attempt to secure the future of the libraries.

It suggests a six-hour per week cut in opening hours for all eight “branch” libraries which is estimated to save between £9,000 and £15,000 per year per library depending on staff levels.

The five remaining “main” libraries would continue to retain their current opening hours.

It would also see the creation of a volunteer model across all 13 libraries: the number of paid library staff would be cut and those positions replaced with volunteers.

The submission states that this would make savings of up to £18,000 per library – £222,000 borough-wide. It also says that plans to reduce premises costs at Crosby Civic Hall Library would save more than £80,000.

Cllr Tony Robertson, who represents Park ward, said: “It is crucial that the library services, who may have been told to stay away from the issue, come together now with the campaigners and share their knowledge and expertise to allow us to work in a common direction. We desperately need to find a way to keep libraries open. It may be tough but by working together we can make saving the libraries a reality.”

Sefton council is expected to make £35m of cuts at Bootle Town Hall tonight, Thursday evening, as it attempts to plug the remainder of a £50.8m budget black hole.